Definition of gag

The word "gag" has multiple meanings in common usage, but its origin can be traced back to its original meaning in the theater. In the 19th century, a "gag" referred to a joke or funny line delivered by a comedian or actor on stage. The term may have come from the notion that laughter caused by the joke was akin to being hit with a physical object, like a rag (also spelled "gag") being pushed into someone's mouth to suppress a noise. This usage evolved to mean an object, such as a sponge or cloth, placed in someone's mouth to prevent them from speaking or making noise, particularly during movie and TV production. This use of "gag" is still prevalent today in the entertainment industry, where actors and technicians use gags to prevent accidental coughing, sneezing, or other distracting sounds during filming. Outside of entertainment, "gag" is commonly used to refer to a humorous or exaggerated response to an absurd or impossible situation. This usage has been a part of English slang and colloquial language for decades, and its popularity has led to its use outside of comedic contexts. Thus, the origins of "gag" are rooted in the theater, where it originally meant a joke or amusing line. This meaning gave way to its use in film and TV as a tool to prevent unwanted sounds, and eventually expanded to describe humorous or ridiculous reactions in any context.